Knock-down shelving unit



Aug. 17, 1965 R. s. PETERS 3,200,775

KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING UNIT Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

RA YMO/VD 5. PE TE R5 F3 BY J fl/CKHORA/ CHEATHAM BLORE Aug. 17, 1965 R. s. PETERS KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1962 6 40 INVEN TOR.

RAYMOND 5. PETERS BY BUG/(HORN, CHEATHAM BLORE g- 17, 1965 R. s. PETERS 3,200,775

KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING UNIT Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. RAYMOND s PETERS BY BUCKHORN CHEATHAM BLOQE A TTORA/E Y5 Aug. 17, 1965 R. s. PETERS KNOCK-DOWN SHELVING UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 26, 1962 H m N E V O a W l N Jm 0 EW/ 7H PD- .r find Gm u T a L F a a, a U

RAYMOND S. PETERS.

Fig. I5

BUCKHORN, CHEATHAM 8 BLORE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,260,775 KNOCK-DGWN SHELVING UNIT Raymond S. Peters, Portland, Greg, assignor to Peters Metal Fabricating 60., Portland, Greg, a partnership Filed Mar. 26, 1962, Ser. N 184,635 7 Claims. (Bl. lod -1&8)

This invention relates to shelving units and particularly to metal shelving units. This application contains the subject matter of my prior application entitled Knock- Down Shelving Unit, Serial No. 90,513, filed February 20, 1961, now abandoned, and is a continuation-in-part thereof. I

The shelf brackets of prior shelving units have bee objectionable in that they have been complicated and ex pensive, or have required considerable time to mount in place, or have required the aid of tools to carry out the mounting operation, or have had a combination of such disadvantages.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a shelving unit having a simple shelf bracket that can be quickly mounted in place and quickly adjusted vertically to a desired position, all without the aid of tools.

Another main object of the present invention is to provide a knock-down shelving unit that can be quickly assembled without the aid of any tools.

A further object is to provide a shelving unit that can be readily extended, doubled, or shortened.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of one form or" a shelving unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a small view of the frame of the unit prior to the shelves being installed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of one side of the shelving unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the upper left corner of the unit;

FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of a joint of the unit and taken generally in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8;

FIG 9 is a horizontal section taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal section taken along line 1ti-1tl of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line l3-l3 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

Cir

ice

FIG. 15 is a view similar to the lower portion of FIG. 5 but showing the preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section taken along line i6I6 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a horizontal section taken along line 17-I7 of FIG. 15.

General description of first form From an over-all standpoint, the first form of the knockdown shelving unit is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to these figures, and particularly to FIG. 2, the frame of the unit includes three identical end structures A, B and C of inverted T shape, each including a post 11 permanently secured at its lower end centrally to a base member 13. Each pair of end structures is detachably connected together by a pair of front panels 15, a central panel 17, and a top rail 19.

Referring to FIG. 1, between each pair of posts 11 is a pair of perforated rectangular backing panels 21, the panels for end structures A and B being broken away to show both panels. The panels 21 are retained in place by clips 23 carried by the posts II, and other clips to be described.

In the embodiment of the invention shown there are eight shelf brackets 25 mounted for vertical adjustment on each post it, four on one side and four on the other. These brackets support a number of shelves 27 there being eight for end structures A and B and eight for B and C. There are four base shelves 29 supported by the base members I3.

Specific description of first form-framework Each base member I3 is hollow (FIGS. 5 and 6) and has an open top and is formed of sheet metal to provide side walls (FIGS. 5 and 6), end walls 37 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and a bottom wall 39 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Adjustable feet at are threaded into the bottom wall 39'.

The associated post 11 fits into the base member 13 (FIG. 6) and is welded thereto. Further mention of the post will be made hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each front panel 15 is detachably connected to the associated base members by having at each end the upper portion thereof reversely bent to form a tab or flange 41 (FIG. 4) slidably fitting in a vertical slot 43 formed in the end wall 37 of the base member. The slots are wide enough to receive two end tabs in case there are two front panels associated with a single base member, as in the case of the base member of end structure B in FIG. 3.

Each front panel 15 has a horizontal upper flange 45 (FIGS. 4 and 5) terminating in a longitudinal direction short of the tabs 41 of the panel by a distance such that the ends of the flange 45 engage the sides 35 of the associated base members 313 (FIG. 4). This holds the front panel against endwise movement relative to the base members. Each front panel also has a lower flange 47 of a slightly shorter length than the upper flange so as to easily fit between the associated base members.

The ends of each central connecting panel 17 are detachably connected to the associated base members 13 in identical fashion. One end connection is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and comprises a lateral panel flange 48 equipped with two knobs or heads 49 fitting into keyhole slots 59 formed in the sides 35 of the associated base member 13.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, each rail 19 is of inverted channel form. Referring now to FIG. 3, the left-hand top rail 19 is of sufficient length that its left-hand end covers the entire upper end of the post if. of the end structure C, while its right-hand end covers only half of the upper end of the post 11 of the end structure B. The right-hand rail 19 in FIG. 3 is similarly constructed but its position is reversed so that its left-hand end covers half of the post 11 of end structure B and its right-hand end covers the entire upper end of the post it of end structure A (FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the left-hand end of the left rail 19 has a pair of flexible prongs forming a clip 61 to frictionally engage the web of the post 11 of end structure C. The web is formed by the backs of two channels 52 which are welded together in back-to-back relation. The right-hand end of this rail has a similar but narrower or half clip 63 engaging the web of the post 11 of end structure B.

The other top rail has similar clips engaging the associated posts. A side View of a half clip 63 is shown in FIG. 8.

Each clip 61 has a width to fit snugly between the side walls of the channels on which it is mounted so that there is no end play between the parts 11 and the rails 19. The combined widths of the half clips is also sufiicient to effect a snug fit of these half clips in the channels on which they are mounted (FIG. 10) for the same reason.

Brackets f first form Briefly stated, each bracket is supported on its post by means of hooks on the bracket engaging hooks on the post to take horizontal force components, and by means of a bolt on the bracket fitting in a hole in the post to take vertical force components.

More specifically, the hooks on the post are provided by reversely bending inwardly marginal portions of the side walls of the channels 52 (FIGS. 9 and to form inner flanges or hooks 89.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each shelf bracket comprises spaced side members 91 having integral end pieces 92 secured together. The side members are formed with horizontal slits 93 at the inner end of the bracket to provide flexible portions 94. These portions have their end marginal portions reversely bent outwardly to form outer flanges providing outer hooks 95 hooking onto the inner hooks 89.

The portions of the side members below the slots 93 are joined by a connecting piece 97 having a width approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of two adjacent post hooks 89 minus the thickness of the side members 91. This means that the flexible portions 94 tend to hold the bracket hooks 95 apart the distance shown in FIG. 9.

Each connecting piece 97 projects downwardly (FIG. 8) below the lower edges of the side members 91. A single wing bolt 98 threadedly passes through one of a pair of vertically spaced threaded holes formed in the connecting piece. The threaded holes may be formed by securing nuts 99 to the connecting piece in alignment with holes in the connecting piece.

The threaded holes are spaced apart by a center distance equal to the center distance of a plurality of vertically spaced holes 100 formed centrally in the web por tions of the posts 11. By inserting the bolts 98 of two opposed brackets in different threaded holes (FIG. 8), two brackets can be supported at the same level at the opposite sides of a post.

Each wing bolt 98 has a diameter larger than that of a post hole 100. The bolt is reduced at its working end (FIG. 8A) to provide a shoulder 103 and a reduced end pilot portion 105 of a size slightly smaller than a post hole 100 to enable it to readily fit in such a hole. The shoulder 103 is larger than a post hole and hence abuts against the web of the post.

The bolt 98 of a shelf not only supports the shelf vertically on the post, but enables the angle of the shelf relative to the horizontal to be adjusted by threading the bolt inwardly or outwardly.

A bracket is vertically adjusted as follows. of the bolt end of a bolt in a post hole Tilt) is sufficiently free or loose that even though a bracket is mounted on a post, the bracket may be simultaneously moved upwardly and tilted to separate the bolt end 105 from its post hole 100. The bracket can then be slid upwardly or downwardly to a desired new position and the bolt end N5 inserted in the closest hole to maintain the position.

If desired, the bolt end 165 may be made to project through a post hole 160 a distance to prevent adjustment of the bracket unless the wing bolt is threaded outwardly somewhat.

In order to separate the bracket from its post, the wing belt of the bracket must be screwed out to a position where the shoulder 103 is close to the connecting piece 97. This of course can be manually done without the aid of tools. As shown in FIG. 9A the dimension X is less than dimension Y so that a bracket may now be moved rearwardly to a position where the bracket hooks 95 are behind the post hooks 89. By pressing the flexible portions 94 toward one another, the hooks 95 can be disposed sufiiciently close to one another to enable the bracket to be moved outwardly with the bracket hooks 95 passing between the post hooks 89. Thus the bracket may be separated from its post.

Shelf mounting of first form Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, each bracket has two pair of upwardly projecting lugs 111 which fit tightly in matching holes 113 (FIG. 10) provided in the bottom of the associated shelf 27. A shelf 27 is forced onto the lugs to frictionally retain it in place.

Referring to FIG. 3, each shelf 27 is of a length to cover only one-half of its associated brackets so that a single bracket may partially support two shelves. The brackets on the post 11 of end structure B do this. The brackets for the other posts do not, but they can do so.

To cover up the exposed part of the brackets of the posts of end structures A and C, a bullnose 117 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is provided for each such bracket. Each bullnose has holes to enable it to be forced onto the exposed lugs .111 of its bracket to provide a continuation of the associated shelf.

Each connecting panel 17 has at its upper edge oppositely directed horizontal flanges 119 (FIG. 5) between which and the upper edges of the base members 13 the inner margins of the base shelves 29 frictionally fit. The base shelves are supported by the upper edges of the base members 13.

The shelves 27 and 29 are shown as being constructed of Wood, but they can be formed of metal or any other suitable shelf material.

Backing panels and clips of first form The clips 23 for retaining the panels 21 in place are best shown in FIG. 9. Each comprises a base piece 141 having flexible fingers 143 for gripping the associated post 11. The base piece also has two pairs of panel gripping fingers 145 embracing the edges of the associated panels 21.

In addition to clips 23, the flanges 119 (FIG. 5) of the central connecting panels 17 have clips 147 engaging the lower margins of the backing panels 21.

Still further, the top rails 19 have depending spring fingers 149 (FIG. 5) engaging the innersurfaces of the upper margins of the panels 21 and pressing them against the flanges of the top rails.

As is apparent from FIG, 10, the panels 21 are very close to the inner margins of the shelves 27 so that the goods on the shelves cannot fall down between the panels and shelves.

Extension or contraction of shelving unit of first form It is obvious that the shelving assembly of FIG. 1 can be shortened by removing one section. For instance, end structure A and the associated brackets 25, shelves 27 and 29, backing panels 21, connecting panels and 17, and top rail 19 could be removed without disturbing the section between end structures B and C. However, a top rail of a longer length and having two full clips 61 preferably would be substituted for the top rail now shown in the drawings.

If it is desired to extend the shelving assembly, this can be readily done by adding one or more end structures along with suitable connecting panels, etc. It is pointed out that if it is desired to add another section, only one additional end structure, not two, is required.

In extending the assembly, the bullnoses 117 at the end being extended are removed and used at the new end of the assembly. Also, a top rail is required having a length to cover only one-half of each of the posts 11 which it connects.

Each of the sections disclosed in FIG. 1 is a double shelf unit, that is, there is a series of shelves on each side of the section. If a single shelf unit is desired, the base members 13 can be shortened to approximately onehalf of the length of the one shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the base members 13 shown could be used and only one series of shelves used, but the width of the section would be the same as in FIG. 1.

Assembly and disassembly of first form It is apparent that the shelving unit of FIG. 1 may be quickly assembled and disassembled without the aid of tools. To disassemble, the shelves 27 are simply lifted off the brackets 25. The shelves 2-9 are pulled outwardly to separate them. The brackets are removed, in the manner previously described, and then the top nails 19 are removed by pulling them upwardly. Next the backing panels 21 are pulled upwardly to remove them. After this, the front connecting panels 15 are lifted to separate them from the base members 13. Then the central connecting panels 17 are lifted to separate them from the base members 13. The clips 23 can be removed any time after the backing panels 21 are removed.

The reverse procedure is employed to quickly assemble the unit.

Description of preferred form FIGS. 11-17 show the preferred form of the invention which differs from the previously described form of the invention primarily in 1) the structure of the shelf brackets, (2) the shape of the holes in the posts of the end structures, and (3) the construction of the base portions of the end structures.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, it is apparent that the shelf brackets 25a are of single panel form rather than double panel form as are brackets 25, and that the functions of one bracket 25 are performed by two brackets 25a. Each bracket comprises a flat metal panel shown as being of elongate form having a rear upper reversely bent portion 95a hooking onto a flange 89a of a post 11a. The post 11a is identical to post 11 (previously described) except that in post 11 the holes 1% are circular, whereas in post 11a the holes read are laterally elongated so as to have a width equal approximately to the distance between the flanges 8%.

Each bracket has a lower rearwardly extending portion 201 (FIG. 11) having a rearwa-rdly projecting prong or finger 203 of a size to fit readily with one of the holes 199a.

The relation of the X dimension of portion 95a to the Y dimension of the post 11a is such that a bracket can be tilted upwardly (assuming the shelf 27a is removed) to withdraw the prong 203 from its hole 100a and separate the flange 95:: from the flange 89a a distance to enable the bracket to be shifted or moved laterally past the associated flange 89a, Whereafter the bracket may be t5 moved outwardly to free it from the associated post 11a.

However, when the associated shelf 27a is in place it normally prevents such tilting movement because of the reason previously explained in connection with the first form of the invention. That is to say, the shelf has holes, the walls of which frictionally engage lugs 111a integrally formed on the body of the bracket, and these holes are so located with reference to the width of the shelf that the rear edge of the shelf abuts against or is close to the front edges of the associated post 11a. Thus, the rear edge of the shelf will prevent upward tilting movement of the bracket.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show that the prongs of two adjacent brackets fit in a single hole ltltia, and these figures also show that the prongs of two other brackets on the other side of the post 11a also fit in the same hole. This is accomplished by allowing the latter brackets to assume positions slightly inclined to the vertical, which is possible because of the somewhat loose or free fit of the hooks 9% on the hooks 8%.

it is further pointed out that by having two brackets 25o instead of a single bracket 25 for the opposed books 8% of a post, the two brackets 25a can be positioned at different levels to enable staggering of the shelves. This fact, and the fact that the prongs 2% of four brackets can lit in one hole make it possible to locate the shelves where desired without concern for the locations of other shelves.

FIG. 14 shows that each bracket has welded thereto a strip 212 of right angular cross section to stiflen the body of the bracket and also provide additional supporting surface for the associated shelf 27a.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the base member of the end structure shown comprises a first part 13a, t the rear of which the post 11:: is permanently joined, and a second separable part 13b detachably connected by integral interlocking means in the form of dual knobs 221 on the second part 1332 fitting in dual keyhole slots 223 formed in the rear end wall of the part 13a.

The shelves 2% fit under the horizontal flanges 11% formed on the rear or central panel 171:. The panel extends between and interlocks with the base members of the end structures by means of knobs 43a and two keyholes 56in.

The fit of the right-hand shelf under the associated flange 11%, as shown in FIG. 15, prevents upward movement of the base part 13!) relative to the base part 13a, and thus releasably holds the part 13b in. interlocked relation to the part 13a, unless the central panel 17a is moved upwardly in union therewith. However, the backing panels 21 (FIG. 12) rest on the central panel 17a and the top rail (not shown) rests on the backing panels. Thus upward movement of the central panel 17a is resisted by the perforated backing panels and the top rail, and also by the frictional hold of the clips (not shown) for the perforated panels.

A review of the construction of the preferred form of the invention (which incorporates by reference much of the construction of the first described form of the invention) shows that the parts are connected together by fastening means which are fixedly and integrally formed on the various parts and that no removable or even movable fasteners are required. Thus the parts interfit and interlock with one another by sliding friction fits, so that rapid assembly is possible.

It is further pointed out that most of the integral interengaging fasteners engage in a direction at right angles to the direction of direct separation of the parts. By direct separation, it is meant separation in the direction at right angles to the plane of contact of the parts. Thus, part has integral knobs 221 that: are moved into engagement into the reduced portions of the keyhole slots 223 of part 13a. in a direction at right angles to the plane of contact between the parts 13a and 13b. The same is true of the central panel 17a with relation to the 7 base parts 13a, and the front panel 15a relative to such parts.

It is also pointed out that while the lower shelves 2% are removed in a horizontal direction, their fit under the flanges 119a prevents direct separation of the shelves and the parts 13a and 13]).

While the connection means referred to in the above three paragraphs do positively prevent direct separation of the connected parts, the connections are not and need not be solid connections, and thus can permit some articulation between two connected parts. Thus the rectangle formed by two base parts 13a and the associated front and central panels has capability of some sway in a horizontal plane. Also, the rectangle formed by the two parts 13a, the associated central panel 17a and the top rail has capability of some sway in a vertical plane.

However, the remaining parts of the shelving unit prevent sway in either horizontal or vertical planes. For instance, while the perforated backing panels 21a merely slide into place, they occupy positions within the vertical rectangle above mentioned and by virtue of indirect contact with the posts Illa through the media of the panel clips, prevent sway in the vertical plane of said perforated panels.

In addition, while the brackets 25a merely loosely fit in place on the posts 11:: (and by loosely it is meant that they can be readily tipped upwardly for change of level or for removal), once the shelves 27a are in place, the brackets are precluded from upward tilting movement. This advantage is attained despite the fact that the shelves .are removable by direct separating movement from the brackets, because the forces imposed on the shelves when upward tilting of the brackets is attempted is taken in the plane of the shelves, rather than in the direction of direct separation of the shelves from the brackets.

Still further, the fit of the shelves 27a on the lugs 111a prevents sway in a horizontal plane of the lower horizontal rectangleof parts previously described.

Sway in the vertical plane parallel to the parts 13a is resisted by the fixed relation of the posts 11a. in the parts 13a.

In summary, all the parts of the shelving unit are assembled by simple sliding frictional fits, so arranged that certain fits not only connect certain parts but prevent removal or separation of other parts and/ or prevent sway in certain subassemblies. Thus the shelving unit can be assembled and disassembled in the fraction of the time that it takes to assemble or disassemble a shelving unit held together by removable or even movable fasteners. This advantage is inherent in both forms of the invention.

One advantage of the preferred form of the shelving unit is that it is readily adaptable to single unit or double unit construction. If a single unit is desired, the base parts 1% are left off, as are the associated parts such as the lower shelf 29a, front panel, brackets and upper shelves.

Having described the invention in what is considered to be the preferred embodiment thereof, it is desired that it be understood that the invention is not to be limited other than by the provisions of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A shelving unit comprising:

a pair of essentially flat upright parallel spaced end structures, front member means extending between the front portions of said end structures at the lower portions thereof,

rear member means extending between said end structures at the lower rear portions thereof,

removable shelf brackets supported by said end structures,

and shelves on said brackets,

at least one end structure including a vertical post which has at each of two opposite sides a pair of inwardly facing but adjacent hooking flanges,

there being a pair of said brackets for each of such sides, each such bracket having a hook for hooking engagement with a post flange at the same level as the other brackets, said post having a central web formed with a hole,

each of the four brackets having a prong for fitting in said hole,

said hole being sufiiciently horizontally elongate to enable four prongs to concurrently fit in said hole to enable four brackets to be supported by a post at the same level,

said web having a plurality of other holes similar to the first mentioned hole, said other holes being vertically spaced with reference to one another.

2. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, fiat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one another and each including an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion of said post,

each base member being of hollow, spaced wall construction,

each post comprising a pair of identical, elongate channel members, each having a web portion from which projects a pair of side walls,

the channel members of each post being permanently secured together in back-to-back relation with the web portions in abutting relationship, to provide a central web for such post,

the lower portion of each post fitting between the spaced walls of the associated base member with the side walls of said channels lying against the spaced walls of the associated base member,

the lower portion of each post being permanently secured to the associated base member,

each pair of said side walls being bent inwardly and rearwardly toward the said web to form two pairs of hooking flanges for each post,

a pair of spaced, parallel, elongate, rectangular panel members extending between the base members of said end structures and being detachably connected to said base members to form an open framework,

a top rail extending between the upper ends of said posts,

clip means on the end portions of said top rail detachably engaging the central webs of said posts and having a width to just fit between the side walls of said posts to prevent end play of said rails relative to said posts,

said central web of each post having a series of holes therethrough,

a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets for said posts,

each bracket having hook portions for engaging at least one hooking flange of the associated post to hold said bracket on the associated post against outwardly pulling forces,

each bracket having a hole engaging portion for engaging in one of said holes to determine the level of said bracket,

and shelves detachably connected to said brackets.

3. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, flat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one another and each including an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion of said post,

each base member being of hollow, spaced wall construction each post being of generally H shape in cross section so as to have a central web and a pair of side walls projecting from each face of said web,

the lower portion of each post fitting between the spaced walls of the associated base member with. the side walls of said post lying against the spaced walls of the associated base member,

til

the lower portion of each post being permanently secured to the associated base member,

each pair of said side walls being bent inwardly and rearwardly toward the said web to form two pairs of hooking flanges for each post,

a pair of spaced, parallel, elongate, rectangular panel members extending between the base members of said end structures and being detachably connected to said base members to form an open framework,

a top rail extending between the upper ends of said posts,

clip means on the end portions of said top rail detachably engaging the central webs of said posts and having a width to just fit between the side walls of said posts to prevent end play of said rails relative to said posts,

said central Web of each post having a series of holes therethrough,

a pluraltiy of shelf-supporting brackets for said posts,

each bracket having hook portions for engaging at least one hooking flange of the associated post to hold said bracket on the associated post against outwardly pulling forces,

each bracket having a hole engaging portion for engaging in one of said holes to determine the level of said bracket,

and shelves detachably connected to said brackets.

4. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, flat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one another and each including an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion of said post,

each post being of generally H shape in cross section so as to have a central web and a pair of side walls projecting from each face of said web,

the lower portion of each post being permanently secured to the associated base member,

each pair of said side walls being bent inwardly and rearwardly toward the said web to form two pairs of booking flanges for each post,

a pair of spaced, parallel, elongate, rectangular panel members extending between the base members of said end structures and being detachably connected to said base members to form an open framework,

a top rail extending between the upper ends of said posts,

clip means on the end portions of said top rail detachably engaging the central webs of said posts and having a width to just fit between the side walls of said posts to prevent end play of said rails relative to said posts,

said central web of each post having a series of holes therethrough,

a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets for said posts,

each bracket having hook portions for engaging at least one hooking flange of the associated post to hold said bracket on the associated post against outwardly pulling forces,

each bracket having a hole engaging portion for engaging in one of said holes to determine the level of said bracket,

and shelves detachably connected to said brackets.

5. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, fiat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one another and each includ ing an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion or" said post,

each post being of generally H shape in cross section so as to have a central web and a pair of side walls projecting from each face of said web,

the lower portion of each post being permanently secured to the associated base member,

each pair of said side walls being bent inwardly and rearwardly toward the saidweb to form two pairs of hooking flanges for each post,

a pair of spaced, parallel, elongate, rectangular panel members extending between the base members of said end structures and being detachably connected to said base members to form an open framework,

a top rail extending between the upper ends of said posts,

clip means on the end portions of said top rail detach ably engaging the central webs of said posts and having a width to just fit between the side walls of said posts to prevent end play of said rails relative to said posts,

said central web of each post having a series of holes therethrough,

a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets for said posts,

each bracket having hook portions for engaging at least one hooking flange of the associated post to hold said bracket on the associated post against outwardly pulling forces,

each bracket having a hole engaging portion for engaging in one of said holes to determine the level of said bracket,

and shelves detachably connected to said brackets,

each pair of hooking flanges having at least one bracket hooked thereonto,

and an auxiliary base member for each of said end structures detachably connected to the base member of said end structure,

and a panel member detachably connected to said auxiliary base members in spaced relation to said posts.

6. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, flat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one an other and each including an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion of said post and permanently secured to said post,

each of said base members being of generally flat,

elongate rectangular form and being disposed in upright position to provide vertically extending end portions,

a first generally flat, elongate panel member arranged in upright fashion and extending between said base members and detachably connected thereto at one pair of ends of the base members,

a second generally flat, elongate panel member arranged in upright fashion and extending between said base member in spaced, parallel relation to said first member and being detachably connected to said base members in coplanar relation with respect to said posts,

said panel members having the same height as said base members,

each of the detachable connections between said panel members and said base members being provided by fixed integral portions on one member engaging fixed integral portions on the other member and each detachable connection being engaged and disengaged by sliding contact in a direction other than the direction of direct separation of the members,

a top rail member detachably connected to the top portions of said posts by means on said rail and posts having sliding friction engagement whereby the open framework thus produced is capable of some sway in a vertical plane and some sway in a horizontal plane,

at least one rectangular panel slidably received between said posts and supported by said second panel member and engaged by said top rail to prevent lateral sway,

a plurality of brackets on said posts,

and shelves on said brackets and connected thereto at least at several points longitudinally of said brackets to prevent horizontal sway.

7. A shelving unit comprising,

a pair of essentially identical, flat, upright, parallel end structures spaced from one another and each including an upright post and an elongate rectangular base member projecting at right angles from the lower portion of said post and permanently secured to said post,

each of said base members being of generally flat, elongate, rectangular form and being disposed in upright position to provide vertically extending end portions,

a first generally flat, elongate panel member arranged in upright fashion and extending between said base members and detachably connected thereto at one pair of ends of the base members,

a second generally flat, elongate panel member arranged in upright fashion and extending between said base member in spaced, parallel relation to said first member and being detachably connected to said base members in coplanar relation with respect to said posts,

said panel members having the same height as said base members,

a lower shelf supported by said base members and said first panel member,

said second panel member having a flange portion overlying a margin of said lower shelf to preclude upward movement thereof,

each of the detachable connections between said panel members and said base members being provided by fixed integral portions on one member engaging fixed integral portions on the other member and each detachable connection being engaged and disengaged by sliding contact in a direction other than the direction of direct separation of the members,

a top rail member detachably connected to the top portions of said posts by means on said rail and posts having sliding friction engagement whereby the open framework thus produced is capable of some sway in a vertical plane and some sway in a horizontal p e,

at least one rectangular panel slidably received between said posts and supported by said second panel member and engaged by said top rail to prevent lateral sway,

a plurality of brackets on said posts,

and shelves on said brackets and connected thereto at least at several points longitudinally of said brackets to prevent horizontal sway.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,787,382 4/57 Williams 108108 2,803,351 8/57 Van Wiggern 108108 2,956,688 10/60 Glassi 108-108 3,044,632 7/62 Schild 108-92 3,044,634 7/ 62 Oztekin 108-92 3,081,718 3/63 Shofiner 108108 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SHELVING UNIT COMPRISING: A PAIR OF ESSENTIALLY FLAT UPRIGHT PRALLEL SPACED END STRUCTURES, FRONT MEMBER MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FRONT PORTIONS OF SAID END STRUCTURES AT THE LOWER PORTIONS THEREOF, REAR MEMBER MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END STRUCTURES AT THE LOWER REAR PORTIONS THEREOF, REMOVABLE SHELF BRACKETS SUPPORTED BY SAID END STRUCTURES, AND SHELVES ON SAID BRACKETS, AT LEAST ONE END STRUCTURE INCLUDING A VERTICAL POST WHICH HAS AT EACH OF TWO OPPOSITE SIDES A PAIR OF INWARDLY FACING BUT ADJACENT HOOKING FLANGES, THERE BEING A PAIR OF SAID BRACKETS FOR EACH OF SUCH SIDES, EACH SUCH BRACKET HAVING A HOOK FOR HOOKING ENGAGEMENT WITH AW POST FLANGE AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE OTHER BRACKETS, SAID POST HAVING A CENTRAL WEB FORMED WITH A HOLE, EACH OF THE FOUR BRACKETS HAVING A PROANG FOR FITTING IN SAID HOLE, SAID HOLE BEING SUFFICIENTLY HORIZONTALLY ELONGATE TO ENABLE FOUR PRONGS TO CONCURRENTLY FIT IN SAID HOLE TO ENABLE FOUR BRACKET TO BE SUPPORTED BY A POST AT THE SAME LEVEL, SAID WEB HAVING A PLURALITY OF OTHER HOLES SIMILAR TO THE FIRST MENTIONED HOLE, SAID OTHER HOLES BEING VERTICALLY SPACED WITH REFERENCE TO ONE ANOTHER. 